He put his success down to ‘grit, the ability to suffer’ and declared: ‘This has been, without doubt, the most punishing challenge I have ever put my body and mind through.’

On completing the expedition, he said: ‘I guess the biggest emotion is relief, utter relief. This has been years in the planning.

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Beaumont set off from France in July on a mission to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days and arrived back in Paris on day 79 of the journey (Picture: PA)

He smashed the record by 44 days (Picture: PA)

‘Since I was a 12-year-old kid who pedalled across Scotland, the ambitions have got bigger over the last two decades.

‘For me, this was the ultimate. So (I feel) relief, elation, it’s just wonderful to see my beautiful wife and two daughters who have supported me brilliantly through this. I definitely owe them a bit of time now.’

The record-breaking moment was aired on Facebook Live, with his official page saying: ‘Made it to the finish line in under #80days’.

Inspired by Jules Verne’s classic adventure novel Around The World In Eighty Days, Beaumont set off from under the Arc de Triomphe on July 2.

He has travelled through 16 countries during his four-stage challenge, with the first stage seeing him travel through Europe to Russia and Mongolia, culminating in Beijing.

His attempt to reclaim the world record later took him across Australia, New Zealand and North America, before arriving back in Europe for a final push from Lisbon to Paris.

The long-distance athlete had to complete 240 miles a day – spending 16 hours in the saddle after less than five hours sleep per night – to stay on schedule.

Day 9: Mark Beaumont back on his bike pedelling through pain and discomfort after crashing a pot hole in Russia (Picture: SWNS)

Mark Beaumont with his family at the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, France, after crossing the finish line (Picture: PA)

Over the course of the 79 days, Beaumont faced numerous physical and mental challenges, including a fall in Russia on day nine, in which he broke a tooth and suffered a hairline fracture to his left elbow.

He came off the bike again in New Zealand and just days ago in the Pyrenees.

‘That really gave the team a fright because I was about four days from the finish and suddenly I was off,’ he said. ‘I think it made everyone realise it’s not over till it’s over.’

Beaumont cites Russia as the toughest country to traverse while the weather conditions in the southern hemisphere, Canada and the US proved challenging.

During the trip, Beaumont was also awarded the Guinness World Records title for the most miles cycled in a month, from Paris to Perth in Australia, verified at 7,031 miles (11,315km).

He said: ‘Physically, of course, I’m incredibly sore but what you learn very quickly is there’s a big difference between hurting and being injured. I’m not injured, although it will take time for the body to recover.’

Day 32: Mark Beaumont gets a painful massage while on on the Eyre Highway in Australia (Picture: SWNS)

Day 24: Children cycle with Mark Beaumont on part of his journey through the Gobi desert (Picture: SWNS)

Beaumont was accompanied by a mechanic, nutritionist, physiotherapist and manager on the Artemis World Cycle. He says none of it would have been possible without the support of his family and the team on the road, including performance manager Laura Penhaul, the one person who has accompanied him on the whole journey.

Beaumont still aims to raise £80,000 for Orkidstudio, a humanitarian architectural charity with which he has worked for the last decade.

To donate £10 to Orkidstudio text ‘ORKD80 £10’ to 70070 or visit his JustGiving page here.

Day 32: Mark Beaumont at the start of a 90 mile straight road in Australia (Picture: SWNS)

Day 2: Mark Beaumont cycles into Germany from the Netherlands (Picture: SWNS)